No new taxes in MCD Budget proposals for 2008-09

New Delhi, Dec 10 (UNI) In what can be seen as a move to garner public support ahead of the Delhi State Assembly polls next year, the MCD's budget for the Financial Year 2008-09 contains no new tax proposals.

The budget proposals, presented by MCD Commissioner Ashok Kumar Nigam in a meeting of the Standing Committee today, stipulate that strict financial discipline, ward wise implementation of schemes, efficient monitoring of budget proposals and decrease in establishment expenditure would be maintained in order to optimise the income of the coporation.

Presenting the budget proposals, Mr Nigam said,''no loans are proposed to be taken during the next Financial Year. It reflects that the financial position of the MCD is sound and sustainable for fulfilling MCD's responsibilities towards citizens and there is no need to take loans from other organisations.'' Mr Nigam said owing to better recovery of outstanding arrears electricity and property tax, an income of Rs 3450 crore has been estimated during the Financial year 2007-08 as against Rs 2807.75 crore the previous year.

''An increase in income is envisaged from recovery of outstanding arrears of property tax and increase in number of hoardings under the new advertisement policy as well as other sources of advertisements,'' Mr Nigam said.

The priority areas for the administration for the year 2008-09 is the redevelopment of special areas, responsibility for which has been assigned to the MCD under the 2021 MPD.

The MCD Commissioner said the MCD has started to prepare redevelopment plan for the special areas. For this, various representatives, specialists, stake holders and other organisations like the Delhi Jal Board and the BSE are being consulted.

''While making the redevelopment plan for Shahjahanbad, the MCD will ensure that the ancient shape and cultural heritage will be maintained.

The historic Jama Masjid and Chandni Chowk assume greater importance in our heritage plans of redevelopment. Heritage Bazaar will be set up around the Jama Masjid complex, which will encourage handicraft and artistic heritage of Delhi,'' Mr Nigam said.

Also contained in the budget proposals is the formulation of a Master plan for efficient garbage management.

''A committtee has been constituted to formulate a Master Plan for efficient garbage management. The Master Plan will be implemented in a time bound manner in various phases during the coming 20 years.

For accelerating work of desilting of nallahs, the MCD is procuring ultra-modern machinery,'' the Commissioner said.

UNI